1. Eating too many apples is not good
Eating apples has many benefits for the body, but eating too many is not good. Nutritionists remind everyone to only eat one medium-sized apple a day. Some people only eat apples for all three meals in order to lose weight. Excessive consumption of apples can have adverse effects on the endocrine system, digestive system, immune system, etc. From a nutritional perspective, relying solely on apples is difficult to meet the body's needs for carbohydrates, minerals, proteins, and other essential nutrients. Moreover, apples have a high sugar content, and long-term excessive consumption cannot achieve the desired weight loss effect.
How many apples should we eat each day? Experts suggest that according to the "Chinese Dietary Guidelines," it is recommended to eat 200-400 grams of fruit per day, and a large apple can basically meet this requirement.
2. Never eat moldy apples
It is important to remind everyone not to eat moldy apples. Apples have a high water content, making them suitable for mold growth and prone to mold. After apples are invaded by mold, the skin softens, forming lesions, sinking, and the flesh becomes soft and rotten. Mold can grow and reproduce in the flesh and produce toxins. According to experts, toxins can still be detected in normal flesh 1 centimeter away from the rotten part.
3. Inappropriate for certain groups
1. Patients with ulcerative colitis: Patients with ulcerative colitis should not eat raw apples, especially during acute attacks. The thinning of the intestinal wall ulcers combined with the hard texture of apples, as well as the stimulation of 1.2% dietary fiber and 0.5% organic acid, are not conducive to the healing of the ulcer surface of the intestinal wall and can induce complications such as intestinal perforation, intestinal dilation, and intestinal obstruction.
2. Patients with leukopenia and benign prostatic hyperplasia: Patients with leukopenia and benign prostatic hyperplasia should not eat raw apples as it may worsen symptoms or affect treatment outcomes.
3. Patients with coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, kidney disease, and diabetes should be cautious in eating apples.
4. People with symptoms of gastric cold should avoid eating raw apples.
4. Do not eat apple cores
Researchers in Australia have found that apple cores contain a small amount of harmful substance, hydrogen cyanide. Depositing a large amount of hydrogen cyanide in the body can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and increased breathing rate, and may even lead to coma.
However, there is no need to be overly concerned because the hydrogen cyanide in apples mainly exists in the cores and not in the flesh. Although eating apple cores will not immediately cause poisoning, it is indeed detrimental to health in the long run.
5. Apple skin is the most nutritious
The most nutritious part of an apple is its skin, and most of the fiber is also in the skin. The vitamins and pectin in apples are mostly found in the skin and near the skin, so it is recommended to wash the apple thoroughly and try not to peel it before eating.
6. Pesticide residues
Among 53 kinds of fruits and vegetables, apples have risen from fourth place to the top of the "pesticide blacklist" this year. Therefore, it is important to clean apples before eating them. Soaking them in water before consumption is recommended.
7. Different colors of apples have different health benefits
1. Red apples
More beneficial for the heart, improving memory, and maintaining the health of the urinary system. According to traditional Chinese medicine, red apples have a stronger effect in reducing blood lipids and softening blood vessels, which can protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. It is recommended for the elderly to eat more.
2. Green apples
More beneficial for strong teeth and bones, liver detoxification, and can combat depression, making it more suitable for young people. In addition, green apples can promote the growth of teeth and bones and prevent gum bleeding.
3. Yellow apples
Can strengthen the immune system and also have benefits for preventing certain cancers. In addition, yellow apples have a good effect on protecting vision, making it suitable for those who often use computers.
8. How to identify the quality of apples
In general, apples should have a smooth and undamaged skin, bright color (indicating ripeness), tender and crisp flesh, and a good taste. When testing the firmness of an apple with your hand, if it is too hard, it is not yet ripe, and if it is too soft, it is overripe. The ideal firmness is moderate. When weighing the apple in your hand, if it feels light, it means the flesh is loose, which is generally considered poor quality.
Apples can be stored for a long time. It is best to store them in a large ceramic jar at a temperature of around 4°C, which can preserve them for a winter.
9. Can we eat oxidized apples?
If an apple is eaten for a long time, the bitten surface will turn yellow, and the moisture content of that part of the flesh will decrease, making it softer and less crispy. Experts explain that this is actually the result of apple oxidation. Although it may not look good and the texture may not be as good, the nutritional elements are not lost. Generally, it is not harmful to eat them.
10. Do not eat apples too quickly
Chewing apples for a longer time can stimulate the secretion of more saliva and gastric juice, which is beneficial for the absorption and digestion of nutrients in apples.
From a nutritional perspective, we do not advocate "wolfing down" apples. People with gastrointestinal problems, in particular, need to pay attention to the speed of eating apples. Eating too quickly can easily cause indigestion and discomfort.
11. Best time to eat apples
Someone made an analogy about the eating time of apples: "Eating apples in the morning is gold, in the afternoon is silver, and in the evening is copper." In other words, eating apples in the morning is the best. The reasoning behind this is that when we wake up in the morning, the glycogen supply to the brain is depleted, and eating fruit can quickly replenish sugar. Moreover, in the morning, various vitamins and nutrients in fruits are easily absorbed.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the body's spleen and stomach are most active in the morning. Eating fruit at this time is beneficial for the body's absorption. It is recommended to eat fruit in the afternoon, half an hour before or after a meal. Eating fruit after dinner is not conducive to digestion. Eating too much fruit after dinner can convert sugar into fat and accumulate it in the body. Therefore, it is best to eat apples before the afternoon, either half an hour before a meal or half an hour after a meal.
Is it better to eat apples before or after meals? Many people believe that it is a good habit to eat fruit after meals. However, recent research has found that it is not scientific. Eating fruit after a meal can easily be blocked in the stomach by the previously consumed food, causing symptoms such as bloating and constipation, which have a negative impact on digestion. Additionally, the tannic acid in apples combines with proteins to form tannic acid-protein complexes that are difficult to digest, leading to intestinal bloating. Therefore, it is better to eat apples two hours after a meal.
12. Is it good to eat apples on an empty stomach?
Eating an apple on an empty stomach can eliminate toxins from the body. Eating an apple on an empty stomach can lead to a bowel movement shortly after. It is best to eat an apple half an hour before a meal, as it can reduce calorie intake by 30% and is beneficial for the body. Therefore, it is recommended to eat fruit about half an hour before a meal. Furthermore, since fruits are usually consumed raw, eating them before a meal can protect the body's immune system from the adverse effects of cooked food, which is beneficial for the immune system.
However, from a digestive perspective, people with stomach problems should not eat fruit on an empty stomach in the morning. Eating apples on an empty stomach increases the burden on the stomach due to the combination of apple acids and gastric acid.
